Tennis legend Rafael Nadal will return from injury to play his first tournament in nearly 12 months at the Brisbane International.
The news was announced by Nadal via social media with the 22-time major winner using Brisbane's tournament as his preparation for Australian Open 2024.
Nadal hasn't played a competitive tennis match since losing in straight sets to Mackenzie McDonald in the second round of Australian Open 2023 on January 18.
"After a year away from competition, it's time to come back," Nadal said via Instagram.
"It will be in Brisbane, the first week of January. I'll see you there."
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A hip injury saw Nadal withdraw from his title defence at French Open 2023, before the issue kept him out of tennis for the rest of the season.
Nadal has been announced to play at the Brisbane International on three occasions previously - 2017, 2018, 2019 - but only competed in the first year with injury withdrawals occurring at the subsequent events.
The 37-year-old is likely to retire after the 2024 season, confirming this was a probability when he withdrew from the French Open earlier this year.
"It’s probably going to be my last year on the professional tour, I can’t say this 100 per cent because you never know what’s going to happen," Nadal said after losing to McDonald.
"The injury I suffered in Australia has not healed as we hoped.
"Roland Garros became impossible. I will not be there after many years, with everything that (tournament) means to me."
When is the Brisbane International?
The Brisbane International will begin on Sunday, December 31, and finish on Sunday, January 7.
It will be the first time the tournament has been hosted in Brisbane since 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic seeing the WTA 500 event move to Adelaide during 2021-2023.
Where will the Brisbane International be played?
The Queensland Tennis Centre in Tennyson, Brisbane will host the Brisbane International.
It features an outdoor hard-court plexicushion surface for both events.
The main court - Pat Rafter Arena - has a 5,000 capacity that can be extended to 7,500 with temporary seating.
What events will be played at the Brisbane International?
The two main singles events at the Brisbane International will be the women's WTA 500 and men's ATP 250 tournament.
WTA 500
Brisbane will host a premier WTA event, which is the third highest tournament tier behind grand slam and WTA 1000.
The prestige of the event will see a strong 48-woman field compete for the crown.
Brisbane's WTA event was first held in 2009 and became a premier tournament in 2012.
Past winners include Serena Williams, Kim Clijsters, Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka.
ATP 250
A fourth tier men's tournament involving 32 players will be also held at the Brisbane International.
This was first held in 2009 but has ceased operation since 2019.
Past winners include Roger Federer, Lleyton Hewitt, Nick Kyrgios and Andy Roddick.
Where to buy Brisbane International tickets
Tickets for the Brisbane International are available through Ticketmaster.
General admission tickets start at $25, with kids under 14 able to enter for free alongside a paying adult, subject to availability.
Full Australian 2024 Summer of tennis schedule
| Date | Event | Location |
| Dec 29 - Jan 7 | United Cup group stage | Perth and Sydney |
| Dec 31 - Jan 7 | Brisbane International | Brisbane |
| Dec 31- Jan 6 | Canberra International | Canberra |
| Jan 8 - Jan 13 | Adelaide International | Adelaide |
| Jan 8 - Jan 11 | Australian Open qualifying | Melbourne |
| Jan 8 - Jan 13 | Hobart International | Hobart |
| Jan 10 - Jan 12 | Kooyong Classic | Melbourne |
| Jan 14 - Jan 28 | Australian Open | Melbourne |
